Choreographers are both artists and translators. They study a musical piece, consider its meaning, and attempt to convey their interpretation to an audience through dance steps and body movements. Most choreographers are skilled dancers and most professional dancers have received training in choreography. The top schools for choreography are those offering dance programs that emphasize choreography or offer a distinct choreography degree. One measure of a program's quality is accreditation by the National Association of Schools of Dance.

Temple University

Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Boyer College of Music and Dance at Temple University offers bachelor's through doctoral programs in dance. Its Bachelor of Fine Arts degree emphasizes design and choreography. Its Master of Fine Arts degree includes a self-directed choreography laboratory.

California State University-Long Beach

All dance students at California State University in Long Beach begin in the school's Bachelor of Arts in dance program. Students interested primarily in choreography move into the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree program, which emphasizes technique, performance and choreography. The school's Master of Fine Arts in dance program offers students many choreographic opportunities.

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University of North Carolina-Greensboro

The School of Music, Theatre and Dance at University of North Carolina-Greensboro offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance that focuses on contemporary dance training and choreography. Students perform in productions choreographed by faculty and guest choreographers. Prior to graduation, students mount a major choreographic or performance production in the school's black box theatre.

Virginia Commonwealth University

Students pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance and choreography at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond are required to take two technique classes daily in this ballet- and modern dance-focused curriculum. The program also offers opportunities for students to do repertory work and independent study. In the senior project, students choreograph, present and perform their own work.

The University of Arizona

The University of Arizona School of Dance offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance and a Master of Fine Arts in dance with a concentration in performance and/or choreography. Undergraduate students focus on technical training and performance in ballet, modern and jazz dance. The graduate degree program includes courses in dance technique, theory and pedagogy.

California Institute of The Arts

The Sharon Disney Lund School of Dance at the California Institute of the Arts in Valencia offers a conservatory-style Master of Fine Arts in dance degree program. The program emphasizes contemporary dance. First-year students are expected to create three original works and second-year students produce a Thesis Concert. Graduate students have the opportunity to apply for a supplemental concentration in integrated media.

The University of Southern Mississippi

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance performance and choreography at the University of Southern Mississippi is based on ballet and modern dance technique, choreography and performance. Emphasis is placed on helping students identify and develop serious works of dance. Students are expected to perform at the advanced or graduate level in their exit competencies.

The College at Brockport

The College at Brockport, part of the State University of New York system, offers a Master of Fine Arts in Dance that comprises 60 credits in performance and choreography. Students work with established choreographers in this modern dance-based program. Coursework includes study of technique, a field work/teaching practicum, and 12 credits in a creative project/apprenticeship.

Belhaven University

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance at Belhaven University, Jackson, Mississippi, combines the study of Christian faith and ministry with the study of dance. The degree program focuses on technical study, choreography, performance, dance history and dance education. Required courses in other departments give students a solid liberal arts education along with training in dance.

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance and Master of Fine Arts in dance. The undergraduate program is concentrated on training in technique, improvisation/composition, and performance. The masters program focuses on choreographic research and development. A maximum of four students are admitted per year to the school's masters program.

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About the Author

Laura Leddy Turner began her writing career in 1976. She has worked in the newspaper industry as an illustrator, columnist, staff writer and copy editor, including with Gannett and the Asbury Park Press. Turner holds a B.A. in literature and English from Ramapo College of New Jersey, with postgraduate coursework in business law.